Display apparatus



Dec. 7, 1965 s. M. WENGEL DISPLAY APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb.17, 1964 INVENTOR.

SHELDON M. WENGEL Dec. 7, 1965 s. M. WENGEL DISPLAY APPARATUS 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1964 INVENTOR.

SHELDON M. WENGEL ATTYS.

Dec. 7, 1965 DI SP-LAY APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1'7, 1964 5 Sheets-Shet 5INVENTOR.

SHELDON M. WENGEL BY g K/ A ML ATTYS.

s. M. WENGEL 3,221,666 v United States Patent 3,221,666 DISPLAYAPPARATUS Sheldon M. Wengel, Reedsburg, Wis., assignor to HankscraftCompany, Reedsburg, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Feb. 17,1964, Ser. No. 345,140 2 Claims. (Cl. 1041'73) This invention relates toapparatus for a moving display, and particularly, to display apparatuswhich is well adapted for use in stores, service establishments,exhibitions, and other places where mobile displays are used to attractattention.

Various mobile displays are frequently used for displaying pictorial anddescriptive matter, merchandise or models thereof, and other materials.An important object of the present invention is to provide apparatus fora display which moves back and forth.

Another object is to provide apparatus which functions reliably incontinuous operation and yet is very simple.

A further object is to provide apparatus having operating parts of lowvisibility or which are readily obscured from view so as not to distractfrom the display.

An additional object is to provide apparatus which is versatile andadaptable to various display requirements.

Another object is to provide display apparatus which is simple andeconomical in construction, assembly, and operation.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention willbe apparent on reference to the specification and to the attacheddrawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, in whichlike parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of theviews, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the new displayapparatus mounted on a pair of standards;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of another embodiment of the displaycarriage in the new display apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational and sectional view with partsbroken away, of one end of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional and elevational view taken on line 66 ofFIG. 1, illustrating the manner of mounting the display carriage; and

FIG. 7 is a similar view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken on line 77thereof, and also illustrating the connections to the drive unit for thecarriage.

The new display apparatus includes a track extending betweenspaced-apart locations, a display unit movable on the track, drivenconveyor means extending between the said locations, and meansconnecting the display unit to the conveyor means for moving the displayunit on the track between the locations.

Referring to the drawings, the new display apparatus is generallyindicated by the number 10 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. The apparatus isillustrated as being mounted on a pair of standards or posts 12 and 14,illustrated in phantom. As will become apparent, the apparatus isadaptable to mounting in diverse positions on various supportingstructures to fit the requirements of the situation.

The display apparatus 10 includes two generally parallel horizontalframe units 16 and 18 which are mounted at spaced apart locations onvertical standards such as the posts 12 and 14. The respective frameunits include horizontal support arms 20 and 22 in the form of anglebars, each of which has a row of spaced-apart perforations or holes 24on one side thereof and a like row of perforations 26 on the other sidethereof in alignment with the former perforations. The perforationsprovide means for adjusting the horizontal positions of the arms and ofthe parts attached thereto.

A pair of perforated brackets 28, 28 is secured to the upright side ofeach support 20 and 22 by suitable means, such as by bolts or rivets 29extending through the perforations thereof and through the perforations26 of the support arms. The brackets are clamped together around theposts 12 and 14 by means of bolts 30 extending through end perforationsin the brackets, to support the display apparatus. If desired,additional fastening means may be inserted through other perforations inthe brackets 28 and into engagement with the posts 12 and 14 or withfastening means thereon. The frame units 16 and 18 and thereby thedisplay apparatus 10 thus may be mounted at any suitable elevation onthe posts, and their positions are vertically adjustable.

Connecting bars 32 and 34 are mounted at one end of each of the supportarms 20 and 22, by suitable means such as bolts 33 extending through theperforations 24 on the horizontal sides of the support arms and throughregistering openings in the connecting bars. The connecting bars includerespective flanges 36 and 38 which extend upwardly at right angles onthe outer ends of the bars. Pulley mounts 40 and 42 are mounted on thesupport arms 20 and 22. The pulley mounts include respective bars 44 and46 secured to the connecting bar flanges 36 and 38 by suitable means,such as bolts or screws. The pulley mount bars extend horizontally fromthe flanges towards each other. The pulley mounts include respectiveidler pulley brackets 48 and 50 mounted on the inner ends of the bar 44and 46, and the brackets extend laterally from the bars.

A drive unit for the display apparatus is carried by the pulley mounts40 and 42. The drive unit includes a drive pulley 52 mounted in fixedposition on one mounting bar 44, and an idler pulley 54 adjustablymounted in a horizontal slot 56 in the other mounting bar 46. As seen inFIG. 3, the idler pulley is mounted on a screw 58 which extends througha tubular spacer 60 and then through the slot 56, and engages a wing nut62 on the opposite side of the bar for securing the pulley in itsadjusted position. Small idler pulleys 64 and 66 are mounted on therespective idler pulley brackets 48 and 50, in vertically offsetpositions with respect to the large drive and idler pulleys 52 and 54and on the inner side thereof.

The drive unit includes a small motor 68 having a shaft 70 (FIG. 3)which extends through the mounting bar 44 and drivingly engages andsupports the drive pulley 52. An electrical cord 72 extends through anappropriate opening in the mounting bar 44 and may be connected to asource of electrical power, not shown. The drive unit is completed by anendless conveyor line 74 which is trained on the drive pulley 52 and thelarge idler pulley 54. As seen in FIG. 4, the conveyor line is trainedunder the small idler pulleys and 66 which depress the line thereat, andthereby serve to hold the line on the large pulleys. This constructionresists the tendency for the conveyor line to be pulled off the largepulleys by the connecting line to the display apparatus, subsequentlydescribed. It is preferred to employ a very fine line having lowvisibility and sufiicient strength as the conveyor line 74, such forexample as a fish line. After the ends of the line are joined togetherin a suitable manner and trained on the pulleys as described to providean endless conveyor, the line is tightened by adjusting the position ofthe large idler pulley 54.

The display apparatus 10 includes a display unit mounted on the supportarms 20 and 22 for movement or travel of a display therebetween, backand forth and parallel to the conveyor line 74. The display unitincludes a track 76 in the form of a narrow or small diameter cable 76,which may be constructed of steel wire or the like. One end of the cableextends through one of the perforations 26 in the support arm 20 and issecured to the arm. The opposite end of the cable is secured to atension adjusting bracket 78, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5. Thebracket is in turn secured to an adjusting screw 80, which extendsthrough one of the openings 26 in the support arm 22 and is engaged by awing nut 82 on the opposite side of the arm. The tension on the cablemay be adjusted by means of the adjusting screw and nut. The cable thusextends horizontally in parallel to and slightly below the conveyor line74, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cable and the conveyor line are spacedapart, and the spacing may be adjusted by securing the cable in otherperforations 26 of the support arms. Alternatively, the positions of theconnecting bars 32 and 34 on the respective arms 20 and 22 may bechanged by using other perforations 24 on the arms for mounting theconnecting bars.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a display carriage 84 is supported by thecable 76 for back and forth movement thereon. The carriage includes apair of spaced apart grooved wheels 86 which travel on the cable. Thewheels are mounted by screws or bolts 88 on a crossbar 90 (see FIGS. 4and 6). The crossbar is provided with a row of perforations 92, and thebolts 88 extend through the terminal perforations in the row. Thecarriage includes a display holder 94 in the form of a bar having a rowof perforations 96 therein. The bar is mounted in upright position by ascrew and wing nut connection 98 at one of the crossbar perforations 92.In this manner, the holder bar is vertically adjustable on the carriage,and it also may be adjusted horizontally by employing other crossbaropenings 92. Any suitable display may be mounted on the holder bar 94,such as a card or board 100 illustrated in phantom. Fastening means maybe extended through the perforations 96 to connect the display to theholder, and the display may be shifted vertically on the holder byengaging the fastening means in different perforations 96.

The display carriage 84 thus is suspended from the cable 76 by thewheels 86 thereon. The weight of the display 100, with additionalweighting if desired, provides a stable suspension. As seen best inFIGS. 1, 4 and 6, slotted keepers 102 insure that the wheels 86 willremain on the cable 76. The keepers are mounted on the crossbar 90 bymeans of the wheel mounting bolts 88 extending through the slots of thekeepers. Upper inturned flanges 104 (FIG. 6) lie on the upper edge ofthe crossbar 90 and hold the keepers in position. Lower inturned flanges106 extend under the wheels across the grooves thereof, to prevent thecable 76 from leaving the grooves.

The embodiment of the display carriage 84 shown in FIG. 1 is preferredfor its stability. A simpler form of display carriage 108 is illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 7. It includes a single grooved wheel 110 which travelson the cable 76. A display holder bar 112 is connected to the wheel. Thebar is provided with a row of perforations 114, and the wheel isconnected to the bar by a screw 116 extending through the upperperforation. A keeper 118 is mounted on the bar below the wheel, bymeans of screws 120 mounted in lower perforations 114. The keeperincludes an inturned flange 122 which extends beneath the wheel 110 andretains the cable 76 in the same manner as in the preceding form ofkeeper 102. The holder bar 112 is vertically adjustable relative to thewheel 110 and the keeper 118, by varying the perforations 114 which areused for mounting the screws 116 and 120.

Each of the display carriages 84 and 108 is connected to the conveyorline 74 and movable therewith for moving the carriage back and forthbetween the frame units 16 and 18. As seen most clearly in FIG. 7, twoslightly spaced beads 124 are secured in position on the conveyor line74 for making the connection. The beads are engaged by a connector ortow line 126 which extends between the conveyor line 74 and thecarriage. A small hook 128 is secured on one end of the connector, andit is hooked onto the conveyor line 74 between the beads 124. Theconnector also includes a fine line 130 such as a fish line or leader,and one or more swivel joints 132. The end of the connector opposite tothe hook is joined to the carriage in any suitable manner. In theembodiment of the carriage 108 illustrated in FIG. 7, the end isconnected to the wheel mounting screw 116. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,the end is connected to a cotter pin 134 mounted in one of the crossbarperforations 92 (see also FIG. 4).

The display carriages 84 and 108 may be driven back and forthcontinuously by a unidirectional drive motor 68. As the conveyor line 74is driven by the pulleys in the direction indicated by the arrows inFIG. 1, the connector 126 moves therewith and pulls or tows the displaycarriage in the direction of movement of the beads 124. When the beadsreach the large idler pulley 54, they and the connector hook 128 traveltherearound and proceed in the opposite direction. Due to theconstruction, the vertical mounting of the pulleys, and the extension ofthe connector 126 angularly with respect to the plane of the conveyorline 74, the connector travels around the pulleys and changes directionof movement without interference. The swivel joints 132 in theconnectors prevent twisting of the connector line 130. In this manner,the display carriage 84 or 108 is moved to a position adjacent the frameunit 18 and then is returned to a position adjacent the frame unit 16.The directions once more are reversed as the beads 124 and the connector126 travel around the drive pulley 52, and the display carriage is againmoved in the reverse direction. The display continues to travel back andforth so long as the drive motor 68 is energized.

The display apparatus 10 is well adapted for mounting in a desirablelocation without detracting from the appearance of the display. Theframe units 16 and 18 may be mounted as widely spaced as desired, andthey may be adjusted vertically and horizontally. They can be mounted onvarious standards, frames, walls or other supports, and they are readilyconcealed. The fine line construction of the conveyor 74 and theconnector 126 renders them scarely visible from a distance. Thevisibility of the cable 76 supporting the display also may be very low.The effect may be created of a display moving back and forth with littleor no visible support, and where visible, only the cable 76 is apparent.The visibility of the apparatus may be reduced further if desired byemploying a valance extending across the assembly above the display.

The invention thus provides display apparatus which is adaptable,versatile, and well suited for many display purposes. The apparatus issimple and economical while being capable of long continued reliableoperation. It is readily assembled, moved about, and dismantled. Theapparatus occupies relatively little space when assembled, and verylittle space for storage.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be madein the construction and arrangement of the apparatus within the spiritand scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes andmodifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously moving a visual display device back andforth along a predetermined path between two spaced-apart locations,comprising fixed track means extending between said spaced-apartlocations, a display carriage movably mounted upon said track means andadapted to ride therealong, a pair of pulleys respectively mountedadjacent said spaced-apart locations with the space between said pulleysand said track means being unobstructed at said locations, an endlessconveyor line eX- tending between and entrained about said pulleys,motor means for continuously driving said endless conveyor line in asingle direction about said pulleys, a flexible tow line having one ofits ends fixed to said display carriage, connecting means securing theother end of said tow line to said conveyor line, said connecting meansbeing adapted to pass around said pulleys without interference, andswivel means in said tow line to prevent twisting of said tow line assaid connecting means passes around said pulleys during the continuousmovement of said endless conveyor line, said continuous movement of saidendless conveyor line in a single direction serving continuously to towsaid display carriage back and forth along said track means between saidspaced-apart locations, thereby to attract attention to visual materialwhich may be mounted on said display carriage.

2. Apparatus for continuously moving a visual display device back andforth along a predetermined path between two spaced-apart locations,comprising a fixed taut cable extending bet-ween said spaced-apartlocations, a display carriage movably mounted upon said cable andadapted to ride therealong, a pair of pulleys respectively mountedadjacent said spaced-apart locations with the space between said pulleysand said cable being unobstructed at said locations, an endless conveyorline extending between and entrained about said pulleys, an electricmotor connected to one of said pulleys for continuously rotating thatpulley and thereby continuously driving said endless conveyor line in asingle direction about said pulleys, a flexible tow line having one ofits ends fixed to said display carriage, connecting means securing theother end of said tow line to said conveyor line, said connecting meansbeing adapted to pass around said pulleys without interference, andswivel means in said tow line to prevent twisting of said tow line assaid connecting means passes around said pulleys during the continuousmovement of said endless conveyor line, said continuous movement of saidendless conveyor line in a single direction serving continuously to towsaid display carriage back and forth along said cable between saidspaced-apart locations, thereby to attract attention to visual materialwhich may be mounted on said display carriage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 854,192 5/1907Baughman 104-177 986,011 3/1911 Kinney 104-177 1,225,020 5/1917 Ellard104200 2,244,650 6/1941 Curran et a1. 2,592,898 4/1952 Helberg 104-1782,978,991 4/1961 Oswald 10515l ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY MOVING A VISUAL DISPLAY DEVICE BACK FOURTHALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH BETWEEN TWO SPACED-APART LOCATIONS,COMPRISING FIXED TRACK MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SPACED-APARTLOCATIONS, A DISPLAY CARRIAGE MOVABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID TRACK MEANS ANDADAPTED TO RIDGE THEREALONG, A PAIR OF PULLEYS RESPECTIVELY MOUNTEDADJACENT SAID SPACED-APART LOCATIONS WITH THE SPACE BETWEDEN SAIDPULLEYS AND SAID TRACK MEANS BEING UNOBSTRUCTED AT SAID LOCATIONS, ANENDLESS CONVEYOR LINE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND ENTRAINED ABOUT SAIDPULLEYS, MOTOR MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY DRIVING SAID ENDLESS CONVEYOR LINEIN A SINGLE DIRECTION ABOUT SAID PULLEYS, A FLEXIBLE TOW LINE HAVING ONEOF ITS END FIXED TO SAID DISPLAY CARRIAGE, CONNECTING MEANS SECURING THEOTHER END OF SAID TOW LINE TO SAID CONVEYOR LINE, SAID CONNECTING MEANSBEING ADAPTED TO PASS AROUND SAID PULLEYS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE, ANDSWIVEL MEANS IN SAID TOW LINE TO PREVENT TWISTING OF SAID TOW LINE ASSAID CONNECTING MEANS PASSES AROUND SAID PULLEYS DURING THE CONTINUOUSMOVEMENT OF SAID ENDLESS CONVEYOR LINE, SAID CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT OF SAIDENDLESS